Sharing theater with kids is so much fun. They really get caught up into the magic. Here are some tips to make the event more fun for both of you.
Get your child excited about the show. If possible, allow them view the calendar or performance choices and let them pick the show. When they feel involved, their interest level increases.
Make sure it is something that you are also interested in. Your enthusiasm will be contagious.
Make sure the performance is appropriate for your child. If you are unsure, call the theater and ask. Theaters want you to enjoy yourself and will be happy to help you decide if the material is appropriate. I hesitate to use the term “age appropriate, because each child is different. I’ve know five-year-olds who have been to theater all their lives and will watch a two-hour drama with interest. And I know thirty-five-year-olds who are unable to sit through a two-hour drama (me). So match the subject matter with your child. Also, just because there is a child actor in it, doesn’t mean that the show is for children.
Have a discussion with your child about being a good audience member. Check out these audience tips, and remember YOU set the example.
Talk about the show a bit before hand. If the story is complex, perhaps you can tell it as a bedtime story a few nights before. Or if it’s based on a book, read it together.
If you think your child will get hungry, pack a snack and bring a bottle of water, but please, no potato chips. Soft, quiet food.
And when the play is over, talk about what you saw. Encourage your children to ask questions and talk about the show.
It can be a real treat for children to meet the actors they just saw performing, and most actors are delighted to meet the audience and to sign autographs. Wait by the stage door to meet the cast. But remember, they have just finished a hard job, and if you have seen a matinee, they may have to be back again in an hour, so don’t keep them too long.
Above all, enjoy yourself.
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